Sebastian Vettel has hit back at Lewis Hamilton’s “silly” accusation that he won the British Grand Prix following underhand tactics by Ferrari.

Hamilton fought his way back from last place to finish second after Vettel’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen collided with his Mercedes on the opening lap.

Hamilton afforded Raikkonen space at the right-handed third turn during the frenetic Silverstone race, but the Finn locked up, before his left-front tyre thudded into the right-rear of Hamilton’s Mercedes. The Englishman was sent into a spin, and he re-joined the track at the back of the pack.

11 races to go. 11 more opportunities to make our mark on this incredible season of @F1!

The stewards had no trouble in declaring Raikkonen as the guilty party. He was slapped with a 10-second penalty and two points on his drivers’ licence.

After Vettel’s collision with Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas in France, Sunday’s coming together marked the second time in just three races that a Ferrari car has hit a Mercedes.

“Interesting tactics from their side,” Hamilton, who dropped eight championship points behind Vettel, said on the podium.

Thank you so much for the support throughout the weekend, your amazing presence really helped me today. I used every ounce of energy fighting up the grid. We’ll take this result on the chin and move onwards and upwards. We win and we lose together #TeamLH 🎥 @F1@MercedesAMGF1pic.twitter.com/InZr9W6j8H

Despite his breathless comeback, Hamilton was visibly furious with Raikkonen’s behaviour. The Englishman broke protocol by refusing to be interviewed after the race and headed straight for the podium green room.

Explaining his decision, Hamilton added: “I sweat my a**e off in that race. I pushed 1000 per cent with every bit of energy I had. I didn’t have anything left when I came in.